Josh McDaniels on Hot Seat?

Several media sources have reported that Broncos coach Josh McDaniels' job is probably safe through 2011. One playoff appearance will probably buy him time until 2012. Mike Klis of the Denver Post, however, reports about a scenario that coulod put McDaniels on the hot seat this year.

Tim Tebow turning out not to be the savior of the franchise is one factor that could damage McDaniels' job security. Another scenario would involve immediate sucess for Mike Shanahan in Washington-the coach Pat Bowlen fired after the 2008 season, having immediate success in Washington and Jay Cutler-the potential franchise quarterback McDaniels tradied as one of his first decisions with the Broncos-have breakout years. If the Broncos have a mediocre season (say 7-8, and miss the playoffs while Shanahan's Redskins and Cutler's Bears make the playoffs this year, McDaniels could be in trouble. This scenario is realistic as Shanahan has vastly improved the talent in Washington (see Donovan McNabb) and Cutler's performance could improve significantly under quarterback guru Mike Martz.

It is still likely that McDaniels will survive the year but only if Bowlen can resist serious pressure from Broncos fans screaming for a change.